Weekly Flight Tips

This week, we encourage our students to continue moving forward with their schoolwork and persevere. To ensure they move forward positively, here are some tips: ask questions while in class, take a break when needed at home, take pride in your work, review your notes often, and be sure to submit your assignments on time. Please support these efforts from home by encouraging students to use these tips to keep moving forward with their schoolwork.

Assignment Calendar

Speaking of using good study habits. The 7th and 8th grade teachers have created an assignment calendar to help students stay caught up on assignments. It is available on the High Desert School Website and in the ASB Google Classroom. Our goal is to have the assignments listed in one place for both parents and students to use as a daily checklist and ensure that all assignments are completed.

HDS Block Schedule Survey for 2022-2023 School Year

As we begin planning for next school year, High Desert is proposing changing to block schedule for the 2022-2023 school year. Use of a block period of time for instruction does the following: promotes cooperative learning, increases quality time with students, helps students focus on specific topics each day, supports implementation of the new CTE lab, and supports time for classroom-based interventions for all students. Please complete our Block Schedule Survey to provide feedback. We also invite you to attend one of the Block Schedule Parent Information Meetings this week.

HDS Soccer

AADUSD Shadow Days Collaborative is inviting all HDS Soccer players to Senior Night at the Vasquez High School Men's Soccer game on Monday, January 31st. Arrival time for HDS Soccer is 2:50pm.

• Boys Practice is Friday 3:15-4:45pm at Meadowlark
• Girls Practice is Tuesday and Wednesday 3:15-4:45pm at Meadowlark

Remember to get COVID tested weekly if you are participating in Soccer or Dance Force and you are unvaccinated and have not tested positive in the last 90 days.

VHS Testing Center

Reminder that all participants must register for testing prior to arriving at VHS.

https://www.aadusd.k12.ca.us/ domain/388

• Monday 1/31 Open 12:00 - 3:30
• Tues 2/1 - Fri 2/4 Open 1:30 - 3:30

At-Home Testing Rapid Tests

Submit your results via e-mail to covidtestresults@aadusd.k12.ca.us Be sure to include the student's name and the results in the subject line of the e-mail.

Week of January 31, 2022

Weekly Flight Tips

This week, we encourage our students to be efficient and effective with their time at school and at home. Students should work with others and double check their work, use tools to help them focus, prioritize what needs to be done first, take notes, and get help at lunch from their teacher. When studying, small brain breaks can help to break up long periods of study. Please support these efforts from home by encouraging students to use these tips to make best use out of their time.

Assignment Calendar

Speaking of being efficient with our time. The 7th and 8th grade teachers have created an assignment calendar to help students stay caught up on assignments. It is available on the High Desert School Website and in the ASB Google Classroom. Our goal is to have the assignments listed in one place for both parents and students to use as a daily checklist and ensure that all assignments are completed.

HDS Block Schedule Survey for 2022-2023 School Year

As we begin planning for next school year, High Desert is proposing changing to block schedule for the 2022-2023 school year. Use of a block period of time for instruction does the following: promotes cooperative learning, increases quality time with students, helps students focus on specific topics each day, supports implementation of the new CTE lab, and supports time for classroom-based interventions for all students. Please complete our Block Schedule Survey to provide feedback. We also invite you to attend one of the Block Schedule Parent Information Meetings next week.

HDS Soccer

Congratulations to all of the players who made the HDS Boys and Girls Soccer teams. We are excited to see you in action this year!

• Boys Practice is Monday and Friday 3:15-4:45pm at Meadowlark
• Girls Practice is Monday and Tuesday 3:15-4:45pm at Meadowlark

Remember to get COVID tested weekly if you are participating in Soccer or Dance Force and you are unvaccinated and have not tested positive in the last 90 days.

VHS Testing Center

Reminder that all participants must register for testing prior to arriving at VHS.

https://www.aadusd.k12.ca.us/ domain/388

• Monday 1/24 Open 12:00 - 3:30
• Tues 1/25 - Fri 1/28 Open 1:30 - 3:30

At-Home Testing Rapid Tests

Submit your results via e-mail to covidtestresults@aadusd.k12.ca.us Be sure to include the student's name and the results in the subject line of the e-mail.

Week of January 24, 2022

Weekly Flight Tips

This week, we encourage our students to study and prepare well for tests. Students should get a good night's sleep, make flashcards, have family members quiz them, study with friends, and study as they go rather than cramming. When studying, be sure to put away distractions, keep their work area clean, and maintain focus so that they can focus on the material and be efficient in their study efforts. Please support these efforts from home by encouraging students to use these tips and to do well on assessments this semester.

COVID Protocols Update

As of January 18, 2022, students will not need to complete Screener-19 or have their temperature checked as we return to our regular school drop off process. We are grateful for all of your cooperation as we implemented extra safety measures the past two weeks.

• Mask wearing indoors will continue to be required. Mask wearing outside is still required in crowded spaces where physical distancing is not feasible except when actively eating and drinking.
• It is recommended but not required that each of us, students and staff, get a COVID test when notified of close contact.
• ALL Athletes and Dance Force participants must test weekly.

New LA County COVID Quarantine Guidelines

This is summary of the letter that went out regarding updated guidelines.

• If your student contracts COVID OUTSIDE of school, they will automatically need to quarantine at home for 5 days minimum.
• If your student is exposed to COVID IN SCHOOL (in the classroom, etc), are asymptomatic, and agree to test; they do not need to stay home from school. They will be required to a) Test on Day One of Notified Exposure; b) Test again on Day Five of Exposure; and c) Be required to wear a mask BOTH indoors and outdoors for 10 days from the initial exposure; and remain at home and avoid ALL OTHER activities outside of school (going to store, movie theater, fast food, etc). According to LACDPH, students who abide by these protocols at school, may continue to attend school…this is considered MODIFIED QUARANTINE.

Families will continue to receive e-mails from HDS informing them that their child(ren) may have been exposed to COVID at school; however, this DOES NOT necessarily require full quarantine. Rather, it is intended to inform families of exposure.

VHS Testing Center

Reminder that all participants must register for testing prior to arriving at VHS.

https://www.aadusd.k12.ca.us/ domain/388

• Monday 1/17 CLOSED
• Tuesday 1/18 Open 12:00 - 3:30
• Wed 1/19 - Fri 1/21 Open 1:30 - 3:30

At-Home Testing Rapid Tests

Submit your results via e-mail to covidtestresults@aadusd.k12.ca.us Be sure to include the student's name and the results in the subject line of the e-mail.

Week of January 17, 2022

Weekly Flight Tips

As we begin second semester, we encourage our students to be efficient in their studies and get second semester off to a great start. Students should get a good night's sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, arrive to school on time, and pay attention in class. They can keep their spirits up by having a positive attitude. When working on schoolwork, be sure to put away distractions, keep their work area clean, and maintain focus so that they can complete their school work efficiently and effectively. In addition, we have included the global 1000 hours outside challenge. We encourage all HDS Hawks to take on this fun challenge in finding time to play outside. Please support these efforts from home by encouraging students to use these tips and get off to a great start for second semester.

Screener-19 and Temperature Checks

Beginning on Tuesday, January 4th, we will be implementing the use of Screener-19 at home self-screening as well as in-person temperature checks. A couple of things:

• Students or parents will go to https://www.screener19.com/, login in using their school e-mail, and complete the screening questions. Once you see a green checkmark, please proceed to school. Students should bring their ID if they have it. If they don't have an ID card, we will ask for the student's first and last name at the gate. For FASTEST ENTRY to the school, please complete the form prior to coming to campus. If you don't have a cell phone and you have lousy internet, see the office, and we will happily provide you a stack of paper screener forms you may complete prior to coming on campus for each day. Note: As of now, we are only screening staff and students in this extensive manner for two weeks.
• Temperature checks will be done by school staff at the gate prior to entering the school.
• The paper screener that was sent via e-mail is outdated and there are not currently any travel restrictions in the state of California. Students will only need to complete the Screener-19 and have their temperature checked.
• Mask wearing indoors will continue to be required. Mask wearing outside will now be required in crowded spaces where physical distancing is not feasible except when actively eating and drinking.
• It is recommended but not required that each of us, students and staff, get a COVID test prior to returning. If you are unable to do so, feel free to get it completed with Nurse Cari tomorrow, 1/4 at VHS. Take-home tests will also be available in the High Desert Office for pick up.

As with any new process, it will take a little bit of extra time to implement. Please arrive early and allow extra time to check-in.

7th and 8th Grade Elective Schedules

Prior to break, our 7th and 8th grade students selected new electives. Students can view their elective class on Aeries and a schedule will be handed out in History classes. Students are expected to attend the classes on their schedule as listed. If there are any questions about schedules or elective classes, please e-mail Mrs. Van Ornum at mvanornum@aadusd.k12.ca.us.

Week of January 3, 2022

Integrity

As we finish out the first semester with this last week, we encourage our students to show integrity in their behavior and finish out the semester strong. Make good choices while on campus, encourage your friends to engage in positive behavior, and show respect for all adults on campus. Although it is the end of the semester, students should continue to have good study habits so that they can begin second semester strong. Please support these efforts from home by encouraging students to have good moral behavior and demonstrate integrity in their actions.

Season of Giving

This week, we will end our three weeks of the Season of Giving. As we know, it is better to give than to receive. We have included a focus for each day on ways that our students can feel the joy of giving freely of their time and talents to those around them. We hope that everyone can join us in giving back this week!

Week of December 13, 2021

Citizenship

As we finish out the first semester with these last two weeks, we encourage our students to show citizenship in their behavior and finish out the semester strong. Make good choices while on campus, encourage your friends to engage in positive behavior, and show respect for all adults on campus. Please support these efforts from home by encouraging students to have good moral behavior and demonstrate integrity in their actions.

Season of Giving

This week, we will begin our three weeks of the Season of Giving. As we know, it is better to give than to receive. We have included a focus for each day on ways that our students can feel the joy of giving freely of their time and talents to those around them. We hope that everyone can join us in giving back this week!

HDS Season of Giving Ideas and Activities

Week of December 6, 2021

Commitment

As we finish out first semester with the last three weeks, we encourage our students to show commitment to their schoolwork and finish out the semester strong. Complete missing assignments, do your best on all upcoming assignments, and finish with effort and grades they can be proud of. Please support these efforts from home by encouraging students to have an Aeries account and check it weekly as well as staying up to date on assignments in class by using their planner.

Season of Giving

This week, we will begin our three weeks of the Season of Giving. As we know, it is better to give than to receive. We have included a focus for each day on ways that our students can feel of the joy of giving freely of their time and talents to those around them. We hope that everyone can join us in giving back this week!

HDS Season of Giving Ideas and Activities

Check out our printed Weekly Newsletter for highlights and photos from Gratitude Week! 

November 29, 2021 -

• 6th Grade Handbells 2:15-3:00pm
• 100 Mile Club 2:15-3:00pm

November 30, 2021 -

• 5th Grade Dance Force Practice 2:15-3:45pm
• 7/8th Handbells Practice 2:15-3:00pm
• Tuesday Talk w/Superintendent 4-4:45pm

December 1, 2021 -

• HDS Booster Club Meeting 8:30-9:30am
• 100-mile Club 2:15-2:45
• Outdoor Science School Pymt Due

December 2, 2021 -

• 6/7/8th Grade Dance Force Practice 2:15-3:45pm

December 3, 2021 -

• ASB Meeting @ 1:20pm
• 100-Mile Club 2:15-3:00pm
• Hawks Spirit - Wear Green